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Farmer cleared of manslaughter after rambler killed

Leicestershire farmer Paul Waterfall has been cleared of manslaughter following the death of a walker in a field of cattle. Roger Freeman was attacked as he walked with his wife on a footpath in Stanford-on-Soar in November 2010.

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A farmer, accused of manslaughter after a walker was allegedly killed by his bull, has denied that the animal was aggressive.

Paul Waterfall, whose farm is on the Nottinghamshire/Leicestershire border, told jurors at Nottingham Crown Court that the Brown Swiss bull, named Moonriver Zac Pi, had never shown any aggression towards him or his staff.

Prosecutors allege the bull fatally attacked 63-year-old Roger Freeman as he walked along a public footpath with his wife Glenis, which crossed Waterfall’s farm in Stanford-on-Soar.

Roger Freeman and his wife, Glenis Credit: ITV News Central

They also claim Waterfall knew the bull posed a “deadly risk” to walkers, and had described the animal as a “nasty and aggressive” bull who “kept walkers on their toes” in the weeks before the attack on 12 November 2010.

The defence opened their case today, with Martin Meeke QC claiming the bull was not aggressive, and had it been, the defendant would have sent it to slaughter. Mr Meeke said Waterfall had done just that in 2005 with a bull he did not trust.

The prosecution told Nottingham Crown Court that 39 year old farmer Paul Waterfall, of Underhill Farm in Stanford on Soar, had a duty of care to members of public who crossed his land, and that he was grossly negligent in taking steps to deal with the risk.

Flowers left at the scene of the bull attack Credit: ITV News Central

Roger Freeman was attacked by the bull as he walked along a public footpath in the field, with his wife. Mr Waterfall denies manslaughter by gross negligence. The trial continues.